Cherry tree named ‘Royal Marie’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of cherry tree ( Prunus avium ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Vigorous and upright tree growth.   2. Early blooming with a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 500 hours at or below 45° F.   3. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   4. Fruit maturing in the early season.   5. Fruit with an attractive red skin color.   6. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.

Botanical classification: Prunus avium.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees and of which; plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofcherry tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of cherry trees which are known to us andmentioned herein, ‘Minnie Royal’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,942) and ‘Bing’cherry (non-patented).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of cherry tree (Prunus avium) was originated byus in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as an openpollinated seedling from a proprietary seedling selection with the fieldidentification number ‘21ZC114’. The seed parent (21ZC114) is a secondgeneration seedling from the cross of a selected proprietary seedlingfrom an open pollinated ‘Bing’ Cherry (non-patented) and ‘Minnie Royal’Cherry (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,942). A large group of these openpollinated seedlings were budded on to older trees of ‘Mahaleb’Rootstock (non-patented) to accelerate earlier fruit production forevaluation. Under close and careful observation, one such seedlingexhibited desirable fruit and tree characteristics and was selected in2004 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Additional asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety ofcherry tree was by budding to ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct cherry tree is of large size, vigorous uprightgrowth and has a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 500hours at or below 45° F. The tree is a regular and productive bearer oflarge size, early maturing fruit with good flavor and eating quality.The fruit is further characterized by its attractive red skin color,firm flesh, good handling and storage quality. In comparison to its seedparent ‘21ZC114’, the fruit is larger in size and is 14 days earlier inmaturity. In comparison to ‘Minnie Royal’ Cherry (U.S. Plant Pat. No.12,942) the fruit is larger in size. In comparison to its ancestor‘Bing’ Cherry (non-patented) the new variety has a lower chillingrequirement, blooms 10 days earlier and the fruit matures 23 daysearlier.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new cherry variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 5 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofcherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of5 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3.0 to 3.5 meters in height and width            for economical harvesting of fruit.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height            the first growing season. Growth rate will vary with types            of soil, fertility and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 30°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, produces adequate set annually.        -   Bearer.—Regular. Has adequate fruit set annually. Set varies            with climatic conditions at bloom time.        -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, controlled by pruning.        -   Hardiness.—Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Hardy in all            stone fruit growing areas of California. Winter chilling            requirement approximately 500 hours at or below 45° F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference of 30.5 cm at 20.3 cm            above ground on a 5 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 2/4 to 7.5YR 3/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium stocky. Average circumference 12.7 cm at 1.2            meters above ground. Crotch angle approximately 30°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Old growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age of growth.        -   Lenticels.—Average 17 in a 25.8 sq cm area of branch.            Average length 6.0 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color varies            from 10YR 6/8 to 10YR 6/10.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/8. Old            growth varies from 7.5YR 2/2 to 10YR 3/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 135.8 mm. Average width 68.1 mm.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Doubly cerate.        -   Thickness.—Medium thick.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower            surface relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 33.4 mm. Average width 1.9 mm. Color            varies from 5R 2/4 to 7.5R 2/6. Longitudinal groove, very            shallow, glabrous.        -   Glands.—Reniform. Size — large. Average length 2.5 mm.            Average width 1.8 mm. Located primarily on the upper portion            of the petiole. Color varies from 7.5R 4/8 to 7.5Y 6/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number at base of leaf petiole — 2. Margin            — pectinate. Color varies from 5R 3/4 to 7.5Y 4/6.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/8 to 5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 5GY 4/6. Midvein color varies            from 10Y 5/4 to 10R 3/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 16.8 mm. Average diameter 9.2            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 10.4 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/8.        -   Color.—N9.5/ (white), edged with 7.5RP 5/2 to 7.5RP 5/6            along upper surface of petals, color fades to white as buds            open.        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average 5, varies from 4 to 6.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 27, 2009. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 10, 2009, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average height 20.7 mm. Average diameter 32.9            mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, varies from 5 to 6, alternately arranged            to sepals. Size — large. Average length 17.7 mm. Average            width 17.9 mm. Form — orbicular. Margin — sinuate. Color —            N9.5/ (white). Both surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, varies from 5 to 6, alternately arranged            to petals. Size — large. Average length 7.7 mm. Average            width 5.4 mm. Shape — triangular. Margin — entire. Color —            upper surface varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Lower surface            varies from 5GY 4/6 to 5R 3/6. Both surfaces glabrous.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 35. Average filament            length 14.0 mm. Filament color N9.5/ (white). Anther color            varies from 2.5Y 8.5/12 to 5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Present, self sterile, pollinator required. Color            varies from 2.5Y 7/10 to 2.5Y 7/12.        -   Pistil.—Normally 1. Average length 16.0 mm. Surface —            glabrous. Position of stigma approximately 1.9 mm below            anthers. Color varies from 10Y 7/8 to 2.5GY 7/6.        -   Fragrance.—Slight aroma.        -   Color.—N9.5/ (white).        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average 3, varies from 1 to            4.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 15.2 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/8.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Apr. 30, 2009.        -   Date of last picking.—May 9, 2009, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 28.5 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 27.8 mm. Average weight 13.9            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose, slightly flattened at apex and base.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth to slightly lipped, extends from base            to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth to slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Rounded to slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 1.1 mm. Average diameter 4.8 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 42.0 mm. Average diameter 1.5            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Even to slightly earlier at the apex.        -   Texture.—Very firm.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Very firm.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 15.8°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5Y 9/2 to 7.5R 3/10. Pit cavity color            varies from 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/8.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Bloom.—Wanting.        -   Tendency to crack.—None during dry weather, slight tendency            to crack during wet weather, varies with stage of maturity.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5R 2/4 to 7.5R 3/10.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 11.3 mm. Average width 10.5 mm.            Average thickness 8.3 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat to slightly rounded.        -   Apex.—Slight apical point. Average length 0.2 mm.        -   Surface.—Smooth to slightly pitted throughout.        -   Sides.—Varies from equal to unequal with one side extending            further from the suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Small ridges running along each side of the suture.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 6/6 to 2.5Y 6/6 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 7.7 mm. Average width 5.6 mm.            Average thickness 4.3 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Partially viable, incomplete embryos in some            stones.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8.5/4 to 5Y 8/4, when dry.-   Use:    -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 2 weeks at 38° to    42° F. without breakdown of flesh, shriveling or appreciable loss of    flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal flesh bruising or skin    scarring during picking and packing trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of cherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially asillustrated and described.